I chose to take a specific location as a starting point, inspired by the project The Pillar by Stephen Gill. The location I chose is near the river Nederrijn near Arnhem. I used the material I could find at the river. For example, I collected objects to make photograms with, but also clay to sculpt with. The project progressed quite organically, but I did have a loose structure around it in the form of a timeline and the goal to organise an exhibition together with Daan Muller. During the process I mainly started taking a lot of photos around the river, walking around and making voice memos.
By continuing to take photos freely, and eventually also videos, something started to emerge naturally. Especially during the making of videos of the reflection of the sunlight that fell on the river. The image that emerged seemed like a form of data loss: the reflection caused overexposure and the water that was underexposed. They were two visual elements without information, but the combination created a semi-recognisable image. Then I went to the river with my point and shoot analog camera and tried to make similar images. When the roll was full I threw it in the river. I also started writing to find out why I felt attracted to the river and why working on location turned out to be a good way for me to make work. It seemed to hark back to my youth in which water always symbolised playfulness and fun, but I also almost drowned twice so there is a certain duality. I think that is what always attracts me toward larger bodies of water; the idea of receiving so much joy by looking at waves and feeling weightless when floating in the water contrasted with a looming thought that I could walk into the water and never come back.
By continuing to take photos freely, and eventually also videos, something started to emerge naturally. Especially during the making of videos of the reflection of the sunlight that fell on the river. The image that emerged seemed like a form of data loss: the reflection caused overexposure and the water that was underexposed. They were two visual elements without information, but the combination created a semi-recognisable image. Then I went to the river with my point and shoot analog camera and tried to make similar images. When the roll was full I threw it in the river. I also started writing to find out why I felt attracted to the river and why working on location turned out to be a good way for me to make work. It seemed to hark back to my youth in which water always symbolised playfulness and fun, but I also almost drowned twice so there is a certain duality. I think that is what always attracts me toward larger bodies of water; the idea of receiving so much joy by looking at waves and feeling weightless when floating in the water contrasted with a looming thought that I could walk into the water and never come back.
Photos from the exhibition 'Considering the Fish ' at Projectspace Lokaal in Utrecht.
(Photos Daan Muller)
(Photos Daan Muller)
